YOUR VIEWS: Letters to the editor

President Trump often makes a statement about an issue and pundits and politicians rush to refute and ridicule what he said. Then it turns out there is a great deal of truth in his claim.

He criticized our membership in NATO saying member countries weren't living up to their obligations to invest in their militaries. Actually he's right and these countries are now quickly increasing their defense spending.

Trump said that upstate New York is a disaster area. Not elegant but factual. Having just lost a major employer to Wisconsin, instead of decrying Trump's words, let's analyze why we failed.

Our high taxes and onerous regulations make New York one of worst states for business investment. Politicians have been re-elected on promises of a turnaround for decades. Gov. Cuomo, intimidated by ideologically driven believers and Russian propaganda, banned fracking. In addition to rejecting high-paying jobs in the fracking industry, he’s deprived Southern Tier residents of royalties. A recent report said Pennsylvania property owners have received over 1.2 billion dollars in royalties. That explains why Broome county population has fallen from 212.2 thousand in 1980 to 200.6 in the 2010 census. The people who left didn’t need Trump to tell them to look for jobs elsewhere.

DAVID B. GOLDENSON

Utica

Tenney shouldn't seek re-election

Congresswomen Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, should do the right thing - not only for herself, but for our community and our nation as well.

Tenney should not seek re-election. There are numerous members in Congress that are anti-diversity and our country does not need another.

PHILIP ARCURI

Utica

One-on-one meeting with Tenney a success

On Tuesday, July 11, I was able to meet with our congresswoman, Claudia Tenney, in her office on French Road. This was a great way to talk to her and if necessary, seek her help.

The woman that was also in my time slot had many questions about the difference between “refugees” who are fleeing their country and want to become US citizens, and “illegal immigrants,” who have shown no desire to become citizens. Because this is an involved topic, she used up 9 1/2 of our 10 minutes. So when she turned the floor over to me, I had only the remaining 30 seconds!

Since I was well-prepared, I gave Rep. Tenney three pages concerning my website, www. golfupstateny.com, and the golf packages that I am selling to attract tourists to our area.

Also, I had a very pressing matter, concerning which I could use the help of her staff. So I asked if I could meet with Samantha LaMarca and review the matter with her.

The conghresswoman assured me that could be done. My business has been severely impacted by an insurance and financial matter and I am at wit’s end trying to solve it. Dealing with bureaucracies in an insurance company or a governmental agency can be so frustrating!

It appears to me that this one-on-one session was a success, based on my experience and what other people who were there told me! It is my hope that she is able to schedule more on a routine basis.

MITCH PEZDEK

Clinton

Safe environment a concern for us all

I’m happy to see the Observer Dispatch adhere to a public service mission by continuing to print environmental news.

On Aug. 2, two articles highlight the consequences of climate change requiring immediate action: “Cuomo promises $2.5 million flood aid,” which Cuomo says is motivated in part by concern about “future extreme weather events” and “Climate Change Before Your Eyes,” regarding ghost forests. Here, note in particular marine scientist Matthew Kirwan’s statement, “I think ghost forests are the most obvious indicators of climate change anywhere on the Eastern Coast of the U.S.”

Sustained reporting of this type should convince the public to clamor as loudly against proposed EPA budget cuts for research and slashes to the Clean Air Act as it did against the Republican efforts to repeal and replace the ACA.

Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand must join us in demanding the Trump administration quickly reverse course to acknowledge and act on the climate change so obviously in evidence and threatening us all.